The Surrogate

The (not a) date night

"This is so nice," Hayley enthuses as she's seated opposite Seb.

He looks gorgeous and smells even more so. Freshly showered before he left the hotel to come here, he's wearing blue skinny jeans and a pale blue, long sleeved shirt, untucked, teamed with a pair of Converse. It's impossible not to find him irresistible.

He's checking his phone the second he sits down, anxious to be sure that Emilia's ok without him there, sure that she's become used to the bedtime routine he now has with her - a bath, a bottle and some snuggles with daddy before he lays her down in her crib, next to his bed. Sometimes he's even read her a story from his phone, it's always been something he's done in German as he's keen for that to be her first language and English her second. Without him there, she's sure to feel like somethings not right, will be missing him already and might be unable to settle. There's no calls or messages and that's a good sign that all is well.

Hayley reaches a hand across the table and gently places it on his forearm, "relax Seb, Stefanie or Britta will call you if they need you."

"Sorry," he feels himself blush, Hayley must think he's rude, checking his phone already. And she's made such an effort; her makeup perfectly applied, red lipstick, tousled hair that sits on her shoulders, the fragrance that he used to find pulled him in closer to her every time she wore it. She does look extremely attractive, dressed in faded blue jeans, an ivory cami top and a black blazer, but he just doesn't have any feelings for her. His heart still lays with someone else - Holly. He tells himself to make an effort though, Hayley is a good friend and she's been so good with the baby and such a help with her and any chores that needed doing back at home. He hadn't really realised how he'd been struggling until she'd arrived.

She sighs and hopes that he doesn't notice. She has an ominous feeling that this evening is going to be hard work and that she'll be the one doing all the work because right now he looks like he'd rather be back with Emilia than out for a meal with herself. She knows he's still hung up on Holly too and it makes her think that he's kind of been forced into this by Britta.

"The steaks here are great," he suddenly says, picking up his menu from where it was on the table in front of him. He notices how she looks a little unhappy and it gives him the kick he needs to make an effort and give her a nice evening. "And the fries are amazing, just don't tell Antti," he adds with a small laugh.

She picks up her menu too. He's trying but she can tell his smile is forced and his laugh is put on, it fails to reach his eyes. She reminds herself that he has taken part in a race today, he'll probably be feeling tired and so she can't expect him to be his usual sparkling self. "I'm sure Antti won't be against you treating yourself to a good meal after a hard race," she replies.

There's an awkward feeling silence as they both look at the menus and decide what to have. It's daft, it almost feels as if they've only just met, don't know each other and are on a first, awkward date. This is a date night, that isn't a date night at all.

A few minutes later and they've both ordered and Seb has also requested a bottle of Chardonnay for them to share. The steakhouse isn't that far from the hotel and so he hasn't got to worry about driving back.

Hayley wants to scream inside, there's usually no awkwardness between them at all and conversation is never stilted or one sided but tonight it's quickly felt like she's sitting with a stranger. "This was Britta's idea, wasn't it," she remarks, already unable to stand the awkwardness.

He can't lie to her, "it was but..." he begins.

"I knew it." she sits back in her chair, arms folded across her chest, her pretty red lips now forming an annoyed pout.